Tiger Woods‘ former swing coach, Hank Haney, issued a strong rebuttal against recent media narratives questioning Woods‘ performance, specifically targeting claims about his accuracy during his prime years. Haney highlighted Woods’ dominance on the PGA Tour in 2006, emphasizing the golfer’s notable achievements and dismissing journalistic critiques as unfounded and biased. The defense emerged after Haney shared a video showcasing Woods’ commanding win over Stephen Ames at the 2006 WGC–Dell Match Play tournament.
Haney’s comments focus on Woods‘ impressive record that year, which includes eight PGA Tour victories with two major championships. He criticized media reports for overstating Woods’ on-course errors, calling the coverage “corrupt.”
“All that Tiger was hitting it everywhere talk was created by the corrupt golf media, in 2006 Tiger Woods won 8 times on the PGA Tour including 2 majors and he was 3rd in Strokes Gained off the tee and 1st by a country mile in Strokes Gained Tee to Green…”
—Hank Haney, Former Coach
The Coach’s Perspective on Woods’ Peak Years
Haney’s relationship with Woods began in 2004 when he was brought on to refine the golfer’s swing. Their partnership lasted until 2010, a period during which Woods experienced one of the most remarkable stretches in his career. Between those years, Woods secured 31 PGA Tour victories, including six major titles such as the Open Championship wins in 2005 and 2006 and the PGA Championship titles in 2006 and 2007.
This phase accounted for approximately one-third of Woods’ overall PGA Tour wins, underscoring Haney’s influential role in maintaining Woods’ competitive edge during those years.
Praise for Woods’ Talent and Consistency from Haney
Reflecting on his time with Woods during a 2022 appearance on the GOLF Subpar Podcast, Haney expressed profound admiration for the golfer’s abilities and work ethic. He emphasized his firsthand experience, having spent nearly half the year alongside Woods for six consecutive years, observing his skill and dedication up close.
“People speculate all the time about him, but they are guessing, I was there, I spent 150 days a year with him for six years. He was incredible, just unbelievable.”
—Hank Haney, Former Coach
Haney also highlighted Woods’ exceptional performance during driving range practice. He noted that, regardless of occasional mistakes during actual rounds, Woods’ preparation and precision in practice were unmatched. Haney described being astounded by Woods’ consistency at the range, where missing shots was a rare occurrence.
“I would stand on the driving range and just think, There is no way these guys could beat him… he hardly ever missed a shot. Ever. Like he would go on the golf course and miss a couple, but… he’d go through a warm-up and never miss a shot.”
—Hank Haney, Former Coach
Enduring Friendship Despite Professional Split
Despite their professional partnership concluding in 2010, Haney has maintained a respectful and friendly relationship with Woods. In his book, The Big Miss, Haney acknowledged their ongoing personal connection, affirming that their bond transcends their coaches-and-player roles.
The Broader Impact of Haney’s Defense on Tiger Woods’ Legacy
Haney’s public defense sheds light on the challenges Woods has faced concerning media portrayal, particularly around criticisms of his accuracy and performance consistency. By referencing tangible statistics and firsthand experience, Haney aims to correct misconceptions and highlight Woods’ excellence, reinforcing the golfer’s status as one of the greatest in history.
This renewed attention on Woods’ accomplishments and the integrity of golf media narratives may influence ongoing discussions about how sports figures are represented, encouraging a more balanced and fact-based approach moving forward.